Automatic window closer



Nov. 10, 1936.

c. B. KAUFFMAN ET AL CLOSER.

AUTOMATIC WINDOW Filed Nov. 12, 1935 INVENTORS CMWII/UZ a/z U/zaanc Char ATTORNEYS Patented Nov. 10, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Chauncey B. Kauffman and Charles H. Kauffman, Hellam, Pa.

Application November 12, 1935, Serial No. 49,429

4 Claims. (01. 268-123) to the sash though the instrumentality of suitable This invention relates to closure operators, and its general object is to provide a device that is primarily designed for automatically closing a window in the event of rain or excess moisture passing within the window opening, therefore preventing damage caused by storms and moisture laden atmosphere.

A further object of the invention is to provide an automatic window closing device that cushions the closing action of the window to prevent the panes from breaking and putty cracking.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an automatic window closing device that can be attached to either the right or left side of the Window and its frame, can be set to remain in open position, is simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture, easy to install, and extremely eiiicient in operation, use and service.

This invention also consists in certain other features of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts, tobe hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawing and specifically pointed out in the appended claims.

In describing our invention in detail, reference will be had to the accompanying drawing wherein like characters denote like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective fragmentary view illustrating the application of our device to a window.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view taken therethrough.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary front elevation with parts broken away.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the position of the parts when the window is closed.

Figure 5 is a top plan view of the latching mechanism, in operative position in full lines and in open position in dottedlines.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of one of the fragile keeper members.

Figure '7 is a modified form thereof.

Referring to the drawing in detail, the letter A indicates the base of a window frame and B the lower sash, to both of which our device is attached as clearly shown in Figure 1.

Our device includes a cylinder I that may be closed at its upper end by a cap detachably secured thereto, but we have shown the upper end of the cylinder as being permanently closed, and rising therefrom is an apertured ear 2 receiving a stud for pivotally mounting the cylinder to the arm 3 Of a ht angle bracket 4 which is fixed securing means such as screws, as shown.

The lower end of the cylinder is closed by a cap 5 which is threaded thereon and provided with an opening extending therethrough for the passage of a piston rod 5, the latter having secured to its upper end a piston l in the form of a cup washer contacting the wall of the cylinder to provide a leak proof connection. Surrounding the rod 6 is a coil spring 8 having its end convolutions engaging the piston l and the cap 5 for the purpose of urging the cylinder downwardly on its piston. It will be obvious that as the cylinder is moved downwardly the piston will naturally compress air therein and therefore set up a cushioning action. The air is released by a bleed port controlled by a screw valve 9 provided with a groove I8 longitudinally arranged therein and which decreases in depth from the inner to the outer end thereof, so that the amount of air passing through the groove can be regulated, as will be apparent.

The rod 5 has arranged at intervals in its length notches H of the cam type in that they are V-shaped with seats in the lower ends thereof for the purpose of receiving the pin l2 of a dog l3 which is spring pressed for normally retaining the pin within one of the notches to hold the window in open position, as clearly shown in Figure 1.

The latching means for our window closer includes a body member l4 having a base portion provided with openings to receive screws or the like for securing the body member to the sill of the window, as clearly shown in Figure 1. Rising from one end of the base is a projection I5 and secured to the base in contacting engagement with the projection I5 is an inverted U-bracket through which extends the lower end of the rod 6 and is secured therein through the instrumentality of a pin l7.

Pivoted or otherwise secured to the lower portion of the rod 6 is an arm [8 adapted to move the rod on its axis for a purpose which will be presently apparent.

Extending laterally from the projection I5 is an arm 19 which has secured thereto a button 20 to receive the notched end of a latch arm 2|, the latter being pivotally secured to the arm l8, consequently it will be seen that the arm l8 is held normally parallel with the arm l9, as best shown in Figure 5, either by the latching means or a fragile keeper which will be present- 1y described.

When the arm I8 is disposed parallel with respect to the arm I9, the piston rod 6 is arranged so that the pin I2 of the dog I3 is disposed in the path of the notches II to be received therein to prevent the spring 8 from acting upon the cylinder and lowering the same for closing the window accordingly, consequently the window remains in open position until the arm I8 is released and disposed to the dotted line position of Figure 5, through the instrumentality of a coil spring 22 that has its end convolutions secured to a projection 23 extending from the arm I8, and a fastener in the form of a screw bolt 24 which is secured to the body member I4, as shown in Figure 5.

Rising from the body member I4 is a stud 25 arranged in the path of the arm I8 to act as a stop therefor, and the spring 22 is disposed about the stud 25, to apply direct pull upon the arm I8.

Any type of moisture responsive means may be employed for holding the arm I8 parallel with the arm I9 as shown in full lines in Figure 5, and we have shown in Figure 6 a band 26 which is preferably formed from absorbent paper which is strong enough to hold the arm I8 in the position mentioned when dry, but when the band 26 becomes wet, it will naturally break and allow the arm I8 to move to its dotted line position. The band 26 is shown as being a strip of paper having its end portions secured together by suitable adhesive means, and the end portions may readily separate when moistened.

In Figure 7 we have illustrated a modified form of moisture responsive or fragile means, and that form likewise includes a strip 2'! of paper with its ends roiled upon itself to provide collars 28 of a size to fit the ends of the arms I8 and IS. The keeper 21 will likewise break in the event it becomes wet, or the roller ends will separate, for releasing the arm I8, as will be apparent.

From the above description and disclosure of the drawing, it will be obvious that we have provided a window closer that requires very little moisture in the form of rain or otherwise, to cause the same to actuate to close the window, with the result damage caused by storms and moisture laden atmosphere is eliminated. It is further obvious that when the arm I8 is released, the spring 22 will carry the same to its dotted line position, and therefore rotate the piston rod 6 for moving the notch I I thereof away from the pin I2 of the dog. The spring 8 will then urge the cylinder downwardly and carry the window accordingly. However, the window lowering action is retarded due to the cup washer I and the screw valve 9, as the cup washer 1 or piston will compress air between the same and the top of the cylinder, and the air escapes slowly through the screw valve which of course can be adjusted to control the passage of the air therethrough, with the result the closing action is cushioned to prevent damage to the window, and especially the breaking of the pane thereof or the putty cracking.

It is thought from the foregoing description that the advantages and novel features of our invention will be readily apparent.

We desire it to be understood that we may make changes in the construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts,

provided that such changes fall within the scope of the appended claims.

What we claim is:

1. A closing device for a window comprising spring pressed means for normally urging the window to closed position and including a rod having notches therein along the length thereof, a dog receivable in any one of the notches for holding the spring pressed means in a position with the window open, means normally retaining the rod in a position with the dog in its notch and being movable for rotating the rod for disposing the dog out of the notch to allow the spring pressed means to close the window, fragile means breakable under the action of moisture for holding the retaining means in operative position, and cushioning means for the spring pressed means.

2. A closing device for a window comprising a cylinder, a piston mounted therein, a rod secured to the piston and extending through the cylinder and having notches arranged along the length thereof, a spring pressed dog pivotally secured to the cylinder and arranged in the path of the notches to be received in any one thereof for holding the window in open position, means for rotating the rod for disposing the notches out of the path of the dog, fragile means breakable under the action of moisture for holding the rod rotating means in operative position, and valve means for the cylinder to release air therefrom in a manner to retard movement of the piston during the closing action of the window.

3. A closing device for a window comprising a cylinder, means for securing the cylinder to the sash of the window, a piston mounted in said cylinder, a spring between the bottom of the cylinder and the piston to urge the cylinder downwardly, a rod depending from the piston and movable through the cylinder, said rod having notches thereon throughout its length, a dog pivotally secured to the cylinder and receivable in any one of the notches, means to be secured to the window frame and having the rod rotatably secured thereto, spring pressed means for rotating the rod for disposing the notches into and out of the path of the dog, fragile releasable means for the spring pressed means and breakable under the action of moisture, and adjustable means for releasing air from the cylinder.

4. A closing device for a window comprising a cylinder, means for securing the cylinder to the sash of the window, a piston mounted in said cylinder, a rod secured to the piston and extending through the cylinder and having notches arranged along the length thereof, a dog mounted on the cylinder and receivable in any one of the notches for holding the window in open position, means including manually actuated latching means for normally retaining the rod in a position with the dog in a notch, and movable from operative position upon releasing the latching means for rotating the rod for disposing the notches out of the path of the dog, fragile means breakable under the action of moisture for holding the retaining means when unlatched in operative position, and means for releasing air from the cylinder.

CHAUNCEY B. KAUFFMAN. CHARLES H. KAUFFMAN. 

